ACCORDING to those well-informed listeners of 6 Music, George Best was the best album of the 1980s.

A few Smiths, Pixies and Stone Roses fans may slightly disagree.

But the Wedding Present's tour-de-force 1987 debut is still a thrilling reminder for everyone of the excitement the darker side of the shell-suit decade could throw up.

For many What Did Your Last Servant Die Of?, Give My Love to Kevin, Everyone Thinks He Looks Daft, and Shatner is the soundtrack to the late 80s.

Next week David Gedge and his band will present the singles compilation that hit the charts the following year, Tommy, which included a memorable John Peel session.

And if you're in any doubt about just how good Tommy, or in fact any Wedding Present record is, Peel's words still ring true.

The legendary DJ said: “The boy Gedge has written some of the best love songs of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Era.

"You may dispute this, but I’m right and you’re wrong!”

Over the decades the Wedding Present's loyal fanbase has never wavered with explosive sets of new releases and old favourites.

Tours all over the world are regularly sold out and they remain firm favourites at summer festivals.

Many of the tracks featured on Tommy - including My Favourite Dress, Go Out and Get 'Em Boy, and You Should Always Keep in Touch with Your Friends - are never far from the setlist.

But next week's show at the MacArts will give fans the chance to hear the album in its entirety.

The Wedding Present play Galashiels on Tuesday, December 11 as part of their Tommy 30th Anniversary Tour.

Support comes from Melys Picture.

Tickets, priced at £20, are available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/galashiels

Doors open at 7.30pm.